March 9, 2009

Center for Ethical Leadership Awards Certificates, Honors Danny Thomas

Memphis - The Center for Ethical Leadership at Christian Brothers University (CBU) granted its Graduate Certificate in Ethical Leadership to eighteen students at a ceremony on March 3 in Spain Auditorium on the CBU campus. The Certificate in Ethical Leadership is a three-course program, including an overview of leadership, an introduction to ethics, and an applied class on community service. Pictured above, the recipients were (front row, l-r) Holt Hall, Marcia Marie Maxwell, Le'Rickus M. Burt, Tanya M. Dumas, Mark L. Hart, (second row l-r) Avis Paulette Lamar, Yolondalyn Bernice Murray, Audrey Bonner, Rhonda Kerr Davis, Melinda Tingle-Williams, Patrice Michelle Jordan, (third row l-r) Rebekah Short Davis, Robyn W. Simons, Bonita K. Clark, Jessie D. Hayslett, David C. Parson, (back row l-r) Stacie D. Middlebrook and Lakethen D. Mason.

During the certificate ceremony, the Center for Ethical Leadership also awarded its Honorary Certificate for Ethical Leadership posthumously to Danny Thomas, entertainer and founder of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Students who make up the certificate cohort are given the opportunity to select a recipient for this distinguished award. The class is separated into groups, each of which selects a leader from the community whom they feel is an exemplary servant leader. They must research the individual and present a paper as to why this individual is worthy of the honor. Thomas was chosen as the recipient by the cohort to receive this honorary certificate for his outstanding leadership in establishing St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis and for his dedication to bringing about improved health care for children all over the world, regardless of race, creed or economic status. Fred R. Harris, secretary of the St. Jude Board of Governors, accepted the award for the Thomas family.

Fred R. Harris accepts the Honorary Certificate for Ethical Leadership granted posthumously to Danny Thomas from Dr. Bevalee Pray, executive director of the Center for Ethical Leadership at CBU.